Pagdanganan shares 49th place in US Women’s Open

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN turned in a closing one-over 72 to place joint 49^th in the US Women’s Open ruled by top-ranked Nelly Korda on Sunday at the tough Riviera Country Club in California.

Ms. Pagdanganan was hoping to end the $12-million major championship with a bang after struggling in the middle rounds but managed only two birdies against three bogeys to settle for 36-36 in the last round.

Counting her earlier cards of 70-74-75, the Filipina ace toted seven-over 291 through 72 holes — 15 strokes behind Ms. Korda’s winning 276 after a final-round 69 — to earn $35,501 (around P2.19 million).

Despite finishing way below her first-round standing of 14^th, Ms. Pagdanganan enjoyed her strongest performance so far in the prestigious US Women’s Open. In her last stint in 2022, the power-hitting Pinay wound up tied for 68^th. Two years back, she missed the cut on her maiden appearance.

Meanwhile, Ms. Korda knocked down a clutch birdie on No. 17 to secure a one-shot victory over Gaby Lopez and Charley Hull, who carded identical 277s after shooting 68 and 67, respectively.

It was Ms. Korda’s first triumph at the US Women’s Open, bringing to four the major championship in her collection after previously ruling the 2024 and 2026 editions of the Chevron Championship and the 2021 Women’s PGA Championship.

The 27-year-old American banked a record $2.5 million for her latest feat. — Olmin Leyba